Look To The Stars News: Grief Support

Neil Finn To Headline Charity Concert For Samoan Relief

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

A concert featuring Crowded House’s Tim and Neil Finn – and a host of other New Zealand-based musicians – will take place in Auckland later this month to raise money for victims of last week’s Tsunami in Samoa.

The Finn Brothers will be joined by Dave Dobbyn, Bic Runga, Elemeno P, Nesian Mystik, Che-Fu, King Kapisi and many more at Auckland’s Vector Arena on October 19. Also performing will be New Zealand Hip Hop stars Savage and Scribe, who both lost family in the disaster.

Aid agencies such as the Red Cross, World Vision, The Salvation Army and UNICEF are still seeking donations for the massive clean-up required after last week’s devastating disaster that killed over 180 people.

Tickets for the concert are NZ$25 and are available through Ticketmaster New Zealand.

Aid Agencies Seek Donations For Samoan Tsunami Vistims

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

New Zealand-born comedy actress Pamela Stephenson has given a harrowing first-hand account of the devastating Tsunami that hit Samoa last week.

The wife of Scottish comedian Billy Connolly was staying in Samoa and is urging the world to come to the aid of the island nation after the massive wave killed over 180 people – including villagers and tourists – and left many more homeless.

“Huge piles of debris lay everywhere; it was clear the wave had whacked every structure with incredible might,” she told the Guardian newspaper in the UK. “Cars teetered where they had been thrown, on top of rubble from collapsed dwellings. Fridges and air conditioners floated in the sea. I looked along the bay and saw that a well-known jetty was missing. So were villages that once lined the shore. I saw a thatched fale [house] surrounded by three policemen and some villagers. A woman was lying inside and someone was trying to revive her.”

New Zealanders have already donated over $600,000 to aid agencies operating on the islands, but the Red Cross and Oxfam are desperately asking for more.

“Any money given to the Red Cross for an emergency goes to that emergency, we ensure that it’s spent where it’s most needed and that’s at the ground in the communities,” said Andrew McKie from the Red Cross.

Organizations such as World Vision, The Salvation Army and UNICEF are also seeking donations.

“Many are homeless, but the extended family system means they will stay with relatives in other villages,” said Stephenson. “Samoans are extraordinary people, and their resilience is evident.”

For more information on how to donate to victims of this disaster, click here.

Iconic Stars Reveal Inspirations For Charity Calendar

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:30:00 -0000

British charity CLIC Sargent is to benefit from sales of a new calendar featuring the inspiration selections of Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen, Bono and other icons for the music world.

Music and entertainment specialist HMV is to mark the third anniversary of its acclaimed my inspiration campaign by featuring memorable highlights in a charity calendar for 2009/2010.

These include the my inspiration selections of Bob Dylan – who selected Scottish poet, Robert Burns; Bono and Paul McCartney, who, in turn, cite Bob Dylan as theirs; Paul Weller, who was first inspired by the songwriting of Lennon and McCartney; Bruce Springsteen, who was influenced by Blues performer Woodie Guthrie; and Deborah Harry, who found inspiration in the songs of Leonard Cohen.

My inspiration invites iconic and exciting new artists to share with their fans the song lyric or lines of verse that have inspired them in their life and in their work. The campaign began in September 2006, when David Bowie selected Syd Barrett’s Gigolo Aunt as his personal inspiration. Since that time well over 150 artists have taken part, ranging from Timbaland to the first lady of France, Carla Bruni, as well as new artists such as Lady Gaga and La Roux.

A key part of the calendar are the iconic black & white portraits of the participating artists taken by photographers who are themselves celebrated, such as Anton Corbijn, Fiona Freund, Dean Chalkley, Lawrence Watson, Adrian Boot and Frank Ockenfels 3 – making it a must not just for music fans and collectors, but for anyone with an appreciation of rock photography.

The A3-sized calendar comes with a foreword from Q Editor-in-Chief Paul Rees, and offers the added bonus of a full eighteen months worth of artist inspiration selections, starting from August 2009 with The Edge’s selection, covering all of 2010 and then ending in January 2011 with Metallica’s choice of their inspiration.

Click here to order.

Michael Parkinson Becomes Charity Patron

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British TV presenter Sir Michael Parkinson has been named the patron of the Child Bereavement Charity in the UK.

The charity provides support and information to all affected by the death of a baby or child or when children are bereaved and also provides accessible training for over 5000 professionals who work with these families and children.

Parkinson has been a long-time supporter of the charity and recently hosted The Ashes Golf Challenge, a major fundraising event for the charity that featured Australian and English cricketers battling it out on the golf course.

“The idea came up when I was having lunch with [”Ricky Ponting":http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/1425-ricky-ponting] in Australia earlier this year," said Parkinson. “I suggested that if he supported my charity, I would support his. And so the idea of pitching England against Australia in a golf challenge during the Ashes series was born.”

The event – which also featured cricketer Shane Warne – raise over £75,000 for the charity.

“The work that the Child Bereavement Charity does is incredibly important and it’s a privilege to be able to help,” said Parkinson.

“We are thrilled that Sir Michael has agreed to join our team of patrons and lend his support to our work,” said Ann Chalmers, chief executive of the charity. “His personality and flair will make a huge difference to raising the profile of our work and much-needed funds to support families and professionals when the unthinkable happens – when a child dies or is bereaved of someone important to them.”

Noble Awards Set To Honor Celebrity Humanitarians

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:30:00 -0000

As the film industry has the Oscars, television the Emmys and the music industry the Grammy Awards, the charity community and its most dedicated Hollywood supporters will gain global recognition with the staging of the inaugural Noble Humanitarian Awards, to take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, October 18. And Look To The Stars is proud to support it.

The two-hour event, produced on behalf of the non-profit Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation, seeks to annually honor up to a dozen charities and celebrities who actively support them, elevating awareness of these organizations and the impact of their work.

The organizations to be honored at this first-annual ceremony include The Art of Elysium, Best Buddies International, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, DoSomething.org, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Keep A Child Alive, The Salvation Army, Stand Up To Cancer and Women’s Sports Foundation.

Celebrities who will accept awards on behalf of the charities being honored include Laila Ali (Women’s Sports Foundation), Jessica Biel (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles), Alicia Keys (Keep A Child Alive), Joel Madden (The Art of Elysium) and Brett Ratner (DoSomething.org), with others currently being confirmed. During the ceremony, each will be presented with the trophy award, designed by Antonio Banderas, with personal touches added by children who participated in The Art of Elysium workshop at the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Other performers and presenters will be announced closer to the event.

With nearly two decades of experience across entertainment, fashion and charitable projects, Janeen Mansour is creator and executive producer of the Noble Humanitarian Awards. Mansour, who has interviewed many celebrities, was inspired to create a dedicated award show for the charity community after interviewing the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson and learning about her significant charitable work.

“Celebrities have long given their time to charity, championing causes they feel passionate about. Their support draws media coverage, and organizations benefit. With the Noble Awards, we aim to turn the spotlight back onto these celebrities and charities in an effort to provide recognition, to educate, to inspire, and to encourage even more support from the Hollywood community and the public at large. It’s an annual celebration of service and volunteerism,” explains Mansour.

A team of entertainment veterans join Mansour in producing the Noble Humanitarian Awards. They include Ziad Batal (Executive Producer), founder of All 4 Media, one of the most prominent film and television production companies and creator and producer of dozens of reality, talk and sports programs in the Middle East; Michael Seligman (Producer), President & CEO of Seligman Entertainment, Inc, whose 35 years of work includes the Oscars, the Emmy’s, AFI’s, Kennedy Center Honors and Stand Up To Cancer; Tisha Fein (Producer), whose three-decade experience includes the Emmys, Grammys, Tonys, World Music Awards, Fashion Rocks, Movies Rock and Stand Up to Cancer.

The Noble Humanitarian Awards are produced on behalf of the Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation, a non-profit organization. With the staging of the first annual awards on October 18, 2009, the Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation will launch a year-round campaign to better unify the efforts of charities with celebrities, influencers, media and everyday citizens in order to create an effective forum for change and service. For more information, please visit www.thenobleawards.org.

John Cena Tags In To Fulfill A Wish

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Catrina K. Sally

When 6-year-old Bruce Durham was offered a wish from the Kids Wish Network, the avid wrestling fan requested a meet and greet with WWE superstar John Cena.

Bruce suffers from the life-threatening Type A Hemophilia and was offered the opportunity to have a wish granted after his mom contacted the Kids Wish Network.

For almost an entire week, Bruce was treated like a king. The Suitland, Maryland, native was treated to seats at a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game, meals at The Hard Rock Café, Houlihan’s and the Beechwood Bistro. Bruce’s mini vacation culminated with an up close and personal get-together with Cena. After the meeting, Bruce enjoyed the opportunity to watch Cena perform live.

Since 1997, the Kids Wish Network has been granting the wishes of children affected by life threatening illnesses. The charity also aids the families of ailing children by providing comforting items for hospital stays and funeral assistance. The nationally recognized organization is committed to improving the quality of life for children and their families. With the continue help of volunteers and stars like John Cena, the Kids Wish Network is destined to continue making the dreams of children come true.

Celebrities Provide Happy Memories for Sick Children and Their Families

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

What do President Barack Obama, Jessica Alba and Martina McBride all have in common? They have all helped kids’ dreams come true through the Kids Wish Network.

The Kids Wish Network is a national charitable organization which works to bring joy to children who are facing difficult or tragic circumstances.

The charity has many programs, from Hero of the Month which recognizes young people facing tough situations, to Holiday of Hope Gift Bank which helps to bring comfort to children feeling alone in hospitals, to Wish Granting which arranges for children’s dreams to come true.

President Obama became one of the charity’s Guardian Angels when he met with Ta’Kiyah, a 12-year-old girl who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2007. He gave her a hug and spent time looking through the scrapbook she brought with her.

“I was very impressed. He really took his time and looked at every picture and asked her what each picture represented,” said Cherie, Ta’Kiyah’s aunt. “Thumbs up to everybody who made this possible for Ta’Kiyah.”

Jessica Alba took 9-year-old heart disease patient Adina on a 1 1/2 hour shopping trip in LA. Martina McBride spent time at one of her concerts with Ashley, a girl who was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, and dedicated her song “Butterfly” to the girl on that evening.

Many other celebrities have brightened the lives of sick children through the organization, including Gene Simmons, Demi Lovato, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Jessica Simpson and Dale Earnhardt, Jr..

Earnhardt met 4-year-old Mikey, who was born with a serious medical condition called VATERL Syndrome. Mikey was thrilled to meet his hero, and, after overcoming his shyness, dashed over to grab Earnhardt’s leg, stating, “I love you, Junior!”

Earnhardt reached down to pat the boy on the back, and with a warm smile replied, “I love you too, buddy.”

Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. Aside from granting wishes, Kids Wish Network also has several other programs which benefit children’s care facilities. If you know a child between the ages of 3 and 18 who may be in need of its wish granting services, please call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit KidsWishNetwork.org

Terry Wogan To Return To The Lost City For Children In Need

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:00:00 -0000

For the third year running, Sir Terry Wogan is to return to Leicester, the place he once famously dubbed the ‘lost city’, for the annual TOGs’ (Terry’s Old Geezers/Gals) convention.

The convention will be the fifth time the TOGs have returned to Leicester, and the slogan for this year’s meeting is TOGs 2009 AUSTRALIA (‘All Up Standing TOGs Rally AT Leicester In August’).

Sir Terry will attend a champagne reception and lunch at the University of Leicester on Friday 21st August 2009, joining more than 90 TOGs at their three-day convention, held at the University’s Stamford Hall. He will be welcomed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Robert Burgess.

During his visit Sir Terry will launch the 2010 BBC Children in Need TOGs’ Celebrity Calendar, which to date has raised more than £800,000. Celebrities featured in the 2010 edition include Sir Roger Moore, Midge Ure, Rob Brydon, Alan Carr, Jane Asher, Robert Lindsay and the Wake up to Wogan Radio team.

Back in the 1980s, Sir Terry caused local uproar when he dubbed Leicester a ‘lost city’, due to all the motorway repairs in traffic bulletins. But after visiting the city he revised his opinion, and since then he has given it a number of major references on his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, ‘Wake up to Wogan’.

Thanks to Leicester Shire Promotions, Leicester won a Children in Need challenge for UK cities to sell the most Pudsey Paws stickers. The prize was for Sir Terry to broadcast his breakfast show from the city, during which he signed a declaration agreeing never to refer to Leicester as the ‘lost city’ again.

Speaking at last year’s TOGs’ convention, Sir Terry said: "What is memorable about Leicester is the kind of welcome you get from the University of Leicester for the TOGs. That is why they keep coming back. Who else can supply us with the kind of welcome and facilities we get from the University? Everyone here is fantastic.

“I would like to have been a student here – it looks like a really nice campus. I am not being sycophantic, but the University of Leicester has a very good reputation. For students embarking on their careers my advice would be to study something you want to and then go and do whatever you like. But always remember to go to an established university, like Leicester.”

Speaking at the same event, Norman Macintosh, one of the organizers, added: “Terry’s Old Geezers (or Gals) have got together for our tenth convention – this is our fourth one at Leicester. We find the venue the ideal place for our convention and everyone is full of praise for the facilities, the lovely setting within the University grounds and the great service we receive from all the University staff.”

Sir Terry will be joined by other Radio 2 personalities, including producer Alan Boyd, the News and Traffic team, the Lottery ‘Voice of the Balls’ Alan Dedicoat, the ‘Welsh Traffic Totty’ Lynn Bowles, and presenters John Marsh and Charles Nove.

The ‘Pause for Thought’ team from Sir Terry’s program will also be there, including Canon Roger Boyle, Rev Rob Gillian, Rev Ruth Scott, Rabbi Pete Tobias, Lt Col Charles King of The Salvation Army and the Buddhist Dharmachari Nagaraja. BBC Children in Need will be represented by Gareth Hydes, Head of Editorial at BBC Children in Need, and Jodi Saul.

This year’s TOGs’ convention has an antipodean theme and will also include portrait opportunities by artists who are currently taking courses at the University’s Richard Attenborough Centre through its Lifelong Learning program.

Noble Awards Aim To Honor Philanthropic Celebrities

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:30:00 -0000

An awards show that aims to be the Golden Globes of non-profits will hit Los Angeles in October.

The Noble Awards will honor the work of 10 philanthropic organizations – such as Keep A Child Alive, The Salvation Army, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, the Epilepsy Foundation, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, DoSomething.org and The Art of Elysium – and allow each to award the NOBLE (designed by Antonio Banderas) to a celebrity supporter who has used their evevated platform to bring awareness to the cause.

This unprecedented event will be a star-studded evening stimulating greater charity involvement around the world. The celebrities to be involved will be announced later, but Look To The Stars can confirm the involvement of Alicia Keys and Heroes’ Greg Grunberg.

The show is being organized by the Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation, a non-profit entity whose aim is to unify the efforts of charities with celebrities, media and everyday citizens to create an effective forum for change and service.

The event will be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 18. For more information, check out the official Noble Awards website and check back to Look To The Stars for further updates.

Samuel L. Jackson To Host Charity Golf Bash In London

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Linda St Cyr

Samuel L. Jackson, star of films such as The Spirit, Snakes on a Plane and Pulp Fiction, will be hosting a star-studded benefit in London on June 11, 2009.

The benefit – which is called “Shooting Stars in Desert Nights” – will take place at two locations. The benefit will start off at London Golf Club, where charity supporters will be able to play golf with Samuel L. Jackson and many of his celebrity friends. Then the evening will bring a luxury Black and White Ball Benefit, held at London’s Hurlingham Club, and a feast of wonders with a menu designed by famed Michelin Star chefs.

Shooting Stars in Desert Nights will raise money for the Rainbow Trust and the Samuel L. Jackson Foundation. Rainbow Trust is a charity that provides practical and emotional support for families with a child suffering from a life threatening or terminal illness. The Samuel L. Jackson Foundation supports numerous charities including AIDS institutes, orphanages, the Dreams Can Be Foundation, the Breast Cancer Campaign, Red Cross, Save the Children and many others.

Many stars will be coming out to join Jackson on the golf course and also at the decadent black and white ball. Some will be team captains for the golf competition preceding the ball. Team captains will include Jackson, Alice Cooper, Jesse Metcalfe, Damian Lewis, Michael Bolton, Luke Wilson, JJ Field and Flex Alexander. Michael Campell and Colin Montgomerie are the pro golfers who will be attending the event.

Ticket packages for the evening can be found here. Shooting Stars in Desert Nights will be a day and an evening to remember with music from world class surprise performers, food, fun and a charity auction to support great causes.

Celebrity-Led Fundraising Campaign Supports Charities In Their Hour Of Need

Fri, 22 May 2009 15:00:00 -0000

How would you like to meet some of your favourite celebs, in the flesh? Are you a fan of Daniel O’Donnell or Tim Henman, maybe Raymond Blanc or Rock Legend Suzi Quatro?

Or, maybe celebrities are not your thing, so how about the ultimate behind the scenes day with the Red Arrows or backstage on GMTV? Perhaps even own one of Paul O’Grady’s iconic Lily Savage dresses or a stunning print signed by Ali and Joe Frazier!

All these and a lot more form part of a very timely and innovative celebrity led fundraising campaign which launches on Thursday evening May 21st to provide hard hit charities with much needed revenue at a time when their donation levels are plummeting.

The BIG Bid campaign was created and built by the specialist charity support organisation, Ingenious Fundraising, in partnership with eBay for Charity and supported by the Charities Aid Foundation. It has been two years in the planning and can be found at www.ebay.co.uk/thebigbid. The campaign really is going live at a crucial time for the nation’s voluntary sector.

Campaign director, Paul Sayer, says ‘People seem to be fed up with doom and gloom stories at the moment so we hope they will indulge in a little retail therapy to lift their spirits. By treating themselves to something special they will also get a feel-good factor from knowing they are helping some very deserving causes into the bargain’.

‘We have found some exceptional items such as the ultimate VIP day for the Wimbledon Men’s Final with Tim Henman signing a special memento or how about a flight over London in a vintage airliner with a celebrity guest on board. These are experiences that just don’t come along every day, so should attract some real interest’.

About 25 charities will benefit from the campaign which runs for 10 days until Sunday May 31st including one of the nation’s most popular causes, Help for Heroes, along with Action for Children, CLIC Sargent, the Teenage Cancer Trust and many more.

Going under the hammer are items such as:

The Ultimate VIP Day with The Red Arrows. Really get behind the scenes at their Scampton home base.
Paul O’Grady’s Lilly Savage teddy bear dress
Meet Countdown’s own Rachel Riley
Meet Daniel O’Donnell in person in concert
The Ultimate VIP Day at Haydock Racecourse for The Sprint Cup as guests of Betfred – rub shoulders with a host of celebrities.
Meet Raymond Blanc and a host of celebrity chefs at amazing Gala Gourmet Dinner in Guildhall, London.
Ali v Frazier stunning signed print
Meet Rock Legend Suzi Quatro in concert
Men’s Finals Day VIP package with personally signed memorabilia by Tim Henman at Wimbledon 2009.
Pelé hand signed retro Brazil shirt with photo COA
Fully signed England Football Squad shirt donated by the FA
The X-Factor judges amazing art work Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue, Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh crafted in toast – yes toast!
Retro 1966 England Shirt signed by 20 of the World Cup winning squad and photo evidence
Meet the GMTV team – go backstage during a morning broadcast
Glastonbury signed shirts inc Kings Of Leon, The Fratellis and The Verve
Jeff banks own Olympic Bid Team Watch
Jools Holland signed memorabilia
Fly over London in an historic aircraft
Signed Brian Lara mini cricket bat
Stunning signed memorabilia from Lulu, Kylie Minogue, Pierce Brosnan, Michael Schumacher and many other stars of stage, screen, music and sport
Signed sheet music from Queen and Robbie Williams.

Win A T-Shirt Signed By Johnny Depp

Fri, 15 May 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Johnny Depp will celebrate his 46th birthday on June 9, and to celebrate, you can win a signed T-shirt simply by donating to the Children’s Hospice & Palliative Care Coalition – one of the charities he endorses.

Johnny’s Angels is a group set up by fans of Johnny Depp who were inspired by the many good deeds the actor does, including his words of kindness for young cancer sufferers and his attempts to wake up young coma patients. The group now hopes to inspire others to help children, especially young cancer patients, by performing acts of kindness.

As part of their annual birthday celebrations, Johnny’s Angels are giving away a T-shirt signed by the birthday boy. For every $500 you donate to the charity through the Johnny’s Angels website, you will be entered in the draw to win the shirt.

To find out more about the promotion, click here.

The Big Bid Raises Cash For Charities

Wed, 06 May 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Big Bid – one of the biggest celebrity charity auctions to be held in 2009 – is on right now.

For the entire month of May, items from stars such as Bono, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Ricky Gervais, Cliff Richard, Girls Aloud, Eric Clapton, McFly, Pierce Brosnan, Michael Schumacher, Lulu and many more.

The Big Bid kicked off on May 4 with an event that benefited the Mildmay HIV+AIDS Charity based in East London, in which someone paid £4,200 for the chance to meet Sir Cliff Richard. Other charities that will benefit from the auction include Help for Heroes, Amazing Daisy, CLIC Sargent and more.

To find out more about the auction and start bidding, visit the official Big Bid website.

Bob Saget To Host Salvation Army Comedy Night

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The 5th annual Night Of Comedy benefiting The Salvation Army will take place on May 5.

Hosted by Bob Saget, the event will feature comedians such as Paul Rodriguez, Fritz Coleman & many more. Funds raised will benefit the Salvation Army’s Westwood Transitional Village & the Bessie Pregerson Child Development Center’s facilities, programs that provide residential housing and support services for homeless families.

Tickets for the event – which will be held at the Laugh Factory on Hollywood Blvd and will also include a live auction & raffle – are $100, and include dinner from Greenblats Deli & Cheesecake Factory desserts. However, if you use the promo code BESSIE, it’s only $75/person or 2 tickets for $100. So book your place now by calling 818-994-4661.

More information about the Salvation Army’s Westwood Transitional Village can be found here.

LeAnn Rimes Wins Humanitarian Award

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Country singer LeAnn Rimes was awarded a special Humanitarian Award at the American Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 4.

The 26-year-old singer joined stars such as Carrie Underwood, Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban and many more famous faces from the country music world at the awards, and picked up her accolade for her ongoing community service, especially in regard to children’s charities.

“I’ve been doing humanitarian work for many years, and you do it out of the goodness of your heart,” she said. “I mean, the Humanitarian Award at the ACM’s never really crossed my mind. But it’s a huge honor.”

Rimes – a spokesperson for the Children’s Miracle Network – works with several charities, such as the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and A Star For The Night. Last year she was one of the many country artists to auction signed kiss cards for the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation, and has also in the past helped to launch The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Christmas Campaign.

“It’s part of what I do,” she explained. “It makes me feel good, you know. It’s part of, I think, my responsibility as a human being — but as also a celebrity — to be able to do good for other people.”

Vince Gill To Play Charity Concert

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Country singer Vince Gill will play a special charity concert in Geenville, South Carolina, in April.

The singer – who has won 19 Grammy Awards – will bring his band to the Bi-Lo Center on April 19. Proceeds will benefit The Mac Foundation – a charity established in 2006 by parents Ronnie and Vickie Allen after their 12-year-old son passed away – that aims to create opportunities for children and young adults through sports, the arts, and extra-curricular activities, intent on keeping their minds and bodies focused on positive alternatives to the temptations of life.

The Mac Foundation will use proceeds from the concert to make donations to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, the Greenville Family Partnership, CESA Top Soccer, and The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club.

Tickets tickets cost $29-$39, and are available at the Crown Nissan Ticket Office at the BI-LO Center or at the Bi-Lo Center website. More information about the Mac Foundation can be found here.

Mel B Cares For All Ages

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Singer Melanie Brown’s auction last year of household goods and clothing in the UK went so well – bringing in thousands of pounds for CLIC Sargent – she’s decided to do it again in her newest residence, the USA.

“I’m going to be auctioning off a ton of stuff,” she said.

Spice Girls memorabilia, costumes from tours and wardrobe items from the Spice Girls movie and Dancing With The Stars television program are on the block, as well as items out of her closet. On her website she promises to add more.

“One hundred percent of what you bid on these clothes is going to go to two charities,” says Brown. “One is [”LA Children’s Hostpital":http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/349-childrens-hospital-los-angeles] and the other one is Meals On Wheels, so you get to help the young and the elderly."

Total bids have already surpassed $4000 usd. Click here to view the items and place a bid.

Look To The Stars Exclusive: Live Stream Of Leeza Gibbons' Night To Make A Difference

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Look To The Stars is proud to be involved in one of Hollywood’s premier charity Oscar parties this weekend. Leeza Gibbons’ A Night To Make A Difference will take place on Sunday, February 22, at the iconic Mr Chow in Beverly Hills, with a host of celebrities expected to attend. And Look To The Stars is streaming the event LIVE.

This unique event will bring together stars from film, TV, music, sports and fashion to celebrate the worlds of celebrity and charity. Special Ambassadors of Change who have used their celebrity to make a tangible difference in the world will be on hand to empower the audience to make a difference in their own lives.

Hosted by Leeza Gibbons, Olivia Newton-John and David Foster, the Night To Make A Difference will attract stars such as Paris Hilton, Jessica Biel, Forest Whitaker, Slash, Alan Thicke, Ashley Tisdale, Brooke Burns, Cheryl Burke, Cheryl Ladd, Chevy Chase, Danny Boyle, Darryl McDaniels, Dee Wallace, Hilary Duff, Holly Robinson-Peete, Jaclyn Smith, Jane Seymour, Joey Fatone, Jordin Sparks, Ken Paves, Mario Lopez, Mel B., Melissa Gilbert, Rick Schroder, Suzanne Somers, Taraji P. Henson, Teri Hatcher, Tony Hawk and many more.

“The Night To Make a Difference party is to benefit the [”Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation":http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/402-leezas-place] and my own Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Center," Olivia Newton-John told Look To The Stars. “But now it has morphed into a bigger night than just our two charities – it’s about everybody’s philanthropy and giving back. It’s a new era in America with the new Obama presidency, and it’s all about giving back, so we decided to make the night an evening about celebrity giving – like the theme of Look To The Stars.”

Other charities to be involved with the event are Jessica Biel’s Make The Difference Network, the Felix Organization, the Children’s Hospice & Palliative Care Coalition, Cancer Schmancer Movement, Blessings in a Backpack, the Red Cross, TreePeople, the Tony Hawk Foundation, the David Foster Foundation, Smiles For Life, The HollyRod Foundation and many more.

“This event is truly different from the others and one of the aspects I am most excited about is the ability for viewers at home to be a part of the experience via the live webcast,” said Leeza Gibbons. “With Arquiva and Highwinds handling the technical wizardry, we are able to focus on our message of advocacy and philanthropy. Our hope is to inspire people at home and around the world to take action and knowing that we are able to reach a broad audience on the web means we truly have a chance to help create the change presented by our on-camera Hollywood celebrities. I think it’s what happens when Hollywood stars converge with technical stars like Arquiva and Highwinds. Our combination of being behind the scenes of movie’s most glamorous night along wtih it’s most passionate and purposeful stars takes the gold for best new web idea!”

The event kicks off at 4pm in Beverly Hills with Red Carpet arrivals. For more information and tickets, visit the official Night To Make A Difference website. And be sure to visit Look To The Stars’ special live stream of the event on Oscars night.

Celebrities Donate Songs And Money To Australian Fire Victims

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The humanitarian spirit of the stars is shining out in the wake of the Australian bushfires that killed over 200 people and left thousands homeless. Pink and Jimmy Barnes are the latest celebrities to donate to the victims, and a new CD featuring some of Australia’s favorite performers has been released to raise funds.

“I’ve been really affected by the media images of the tragic bushfires in Victoria,” said Pink. “My heart goes out to all those who have suffered so much in these circumstances. There’s little anyone can do at such a long distance away but I wanted to make a tangible expression of support.”

The star has donated $250,000 to the appeal and hopes the money will help in the “rebuilding of lives and communities in the areas affected”.

Australian singer Jimmy Barnes has announced he will donate all the proceeds from sales of his new live album, Jimmy Barnes Live At The Enmore, to the appeal.

“Importantly, the people who buy this album can rest assured that every single cent from the purchase of it will go to the bushfire appeal,” said Barnes. “It’s a good buy for all involved. Not only are music fans getting a bargain, but were all in this together for an extremely important cause.”

The album is available for $3.39 on iTunes.

Also released to raise funds for victims is Bushfire Aid – Artists For The Bushfire Appeal, a CD featuring performers from Australia and the world.

Proceeds from the sale of the CD will go to The Salvation Army Bushfire Appeal through the charitable arm of the Australian Sony Group of Companies, The Sony Foundation. Artists to donate songs include Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Beyoncé Knowles, Justin Timberlake, Whitney Houston, Dido, Midnight Oil, Vanessa Amorosi, John Williamson, Eurythmics, Delta Goodrem, Westlife, Paul Kelly, Anthony Callea and many more.

“Sony Music Australia is privileged to support the Victorian Bushfire Appeal through this special CD,” said Denis Handlin Chairman & CEO, Australia & New Zealand, Sony Music Entertainment. “Our thanks go to all of the artists and songwriters for generously donating their tracks royalty free. We also thank Sony DADC Australia for kindly donating the CD manufacturing. I know everyone in Australia shares deep concern for this tragedy, its horrific toll on life, families, communities and wildlife. On behalf of Sony Music and the Sony Foundation, our thoughts and prayers are with those affected, and our immense gratitude goes to all the emergency service people and volunteers who have so generously given in this time of need.”

The album is in stores in Australia now, and more info can be found by clicking here.

Bid On A Signed Johnny Depp Jersey For Charity

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

What’s better than a Johnny’s Angels jersey? A Johnny’s Angels jersey autographed by Johnny Depp himself!!

Johnny’s Angels is a group set up by fans of Johnny Depp who were inspired by the many good deeds the actor does and hopes to inspire others to help children, especially young cancer patients, by performing acts of kindness. The group is proud to announce their latest fundraising initiative – a charity auction featuring a jersey signed by the man himself.

“We have been inspired by Johnny Depp, and now we would like to inspire YOU,” says the group’s website. “Johnny’s Angels: Depp Fans for Charity is a meaningful way for Depp fans to honor an actor whose talent and humanity have inspired so many.”

The auction will only run this weekend, January 30 to February 1, with all proceeds going to the Children’s Hospice & Palliative Care Coalition.

“I wish to express my extreme gratitude to all at Johnny’s Angels, and the wonderful effort made for a cause that is indeed something I hold dear,” wrote Depp in a letter to the organization last year. “Your kindness will benefit those in need at a time when they will appreciate it most… Your generosity of spirit knows no bounds, and for that I am eternally in your debt. I am honored and humbled by you all.”

The auction can be accessed here.

Jackie Chan Donates Coats To The Elderly

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Jackie Chan attended a ceremony in Hong Kong earlier this week to hand over warm clothes to the city’s elderly.

The donation was made in association with North Face and The Salvation Army’s Coats for the Elderly campaign, and included over 300 down jackets. Chan has donated the jackets every January for the last few years.

“About ten years ago I was shocked to read in my local Hong Kong newspaper that some elderly people had died because of the cold weather,” he said. “I couldn’t believe that in such a modern city, people were still suffering and that we were not doing more to care for our elderly citizens. I immediately arranged to donate warm coats to seniors and I have been doing it every year since then. If I am in Hong Kong in the winter months, I will personally go and donate the clothes. If I cannot be there, I will make sure that my staff distributes warm coats. I know that people all over the world suffer because of the cold, and I can’t help everyone, but at least I can take care of some people in my own hometown. It is my hope that I can set an example for others and move them to take a look around their own hometowns and see how they can help.”

Kim Kardashian Throws Shoes For Charity

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Kim Kardashian was amongst the stars at the first ever Celebrity Shoe Throwing event in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Held at the Rancho Park Golf Course, the event was organized by Dubai.TV host Janeen Mansour to benefit The Salvation Army.

“No other non-profit organization has the range of social services to help the needy like the Salvation Army,” said Mansour.

The event was inspired by the infamous “shoe throwing incident” that involved President Bush recently, and an invitation to take part was sent to the White House. Although the President declined to attend, several other stars joined Kardashian in throwing shoes for charity, including Adrienne Bailon, Eduardo Antonio Garcia (No Country for Old Men_) and Kelly Gills (_C.S.I. Miami).

The event consisted of several different shoe throwing competitions, with celebrities and members of the public supplying their own footwear missiles.

“Donations of money and goods are down but there is a swelling need and that is a challenge,” Salvation Army Maj. Henry Graciani told Dailynews.com.

Buy Once Give Twice With The Spice Girls

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former Spice Girl Melanie Brown is holding a New Years Sale for charity.

Fans of the singer can get their hands on a range of items such as her bikini top, tea cups, coasters, curtains, glasses, ornaments, cushions, shoes, bowls, trousers, shirts – almost anything you could wish for.

Proceeds from the sale will go to CLIC Sargent, a charity that aims to provide financial and practical support to families through specialist care in hospital and home.

The auction ends on January 22 and can be accessed here.

And Mel B isn’t the only Spice Girl selling her stuff for charity at the moment: Melanie C is auctioning the shoes she wore at the launch of the Spice Girls reunion tour.

The size 39 black Carvela suede high heels with peep toes come with a signed certificate from the singer: “These shoes were special to me because… I wore them on a very special day, the launch of the Spice Girls re-union tour, they brought me lots of luck.”

Proceeds from the sale will go to the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, the only charity in the UK wholly dedicated to defeating lung cancer, the biggest cancer killer in the world.

“Dancing has been such a big part of my life, so I jumped at the chance to help De-Feet Lung Cancer,” said Melanie C. “There are so many ways you can get your feet involved in fundraising. So please join me – put your best foot forward and be part of the ‘De-Feet’ fun!”

The auction runs until January 12 and can be accessed through Buy Once Give Twice.

New Zealand Rugby Star Illustrates Children's Book

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Rugby hero and All Black Keven Mealamu has teamed with creative kids from Room 22 at Colwill School in West Auckland, New Zealand, for a new children’s book as part of Barfoot & Thompson’s Magic of Reading program.

Earlier this year, kids from the school came up with a creative concept for a children’s book and entered a contest to have their story work-shopped with children’s writer John Parker and illustrated by Keven Mealamu.

‘Room 22 and Jumbo, the Monster Caterpillar,’ is a colorful 32-page book which sells for just $10, with all proceeds benefiting the Starship Foundation.

Keven Mealamu, who is Barfoot & Thompson’s Magic of Reading Ambassador, admits to being a bit nervous at first.

“I’ve never illustrated a book before and had no idea what story concept the winning class would come up with – I was hoping for something that was easy to draw! The story of Jumbo the caterpillar has been great fun to illustrate.”

Barfoot & Thompson fully funded the publication and is donating copies to the Starship Hospital who provide each child who is admitted with their own book to read and take home with them. B&T Managing Director Peter Thompson says, “We’re thrilled that more than 70 schools from across Auckland and Northland entered our inaugural storybook competition – and we’re so pleased with the result that we’re planning to make it an annual event.”

Several of Mealamu’s original artworks used in the production of the book have been framed and are up for auction on Trade Me along with 20 signed copies of the book- all auction proceeds also go to the Starship Foundation.

More info can be found here.

Mel B Sells Out For Charity

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Since Spice Girls singer Melanie Brown was moving herself from the UK to the US, she found that keeping her English manor’s contents was one household too many – so she auctioned everything on eBay and donated the proceeds to CLIC Sargent.

Brown’s motorbike, grand piano, furniture, clothing and Spice Girl paraphernalia translated into thousands of pounds for the children’s cancer charity. Where every day ten children are diagnosed with cancer, CLIC Sargent aims to provide financial and practical support to families through specialist care in hospital and home.

Brown was proud to contribute to something meaningful, Evening News 24 reported. “The older you get, the more you realise that if people are giving you something, you have a responsibility to do something in return, by lending your time and name and support.”

Grab Heidi Klum's Jacket For 15 Below

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Fancy slipping into a jacket signed by supermodel Heidi Klum or Sir Elton John? Now’s your chance – the 15 Below Project’s charity auction has been extended.

The 15 Below Project is an initiative between clothes designers TAXI and The Salvation Army to create a cheap but high quality jacket for the homeless.

“It’s a lifeline for people without homes. They’re a pretty low-cost, immediate way to address a huge issue,” said Paul Lavoie, co-founder, chairman, and chief creative officer of TAXI. “Our approach to solving problems – of any sort – has always been to question convention. This won’t eliminate homelessness, but it can make a lot of people more comfortable.”

Since November, celebrity-signed 15 Below jackets have been on auction, with stars such as Michael Stipe, Kid Rock, Robert Plant, Michael Caine, Jon Stewart and Nelly Furtado autographing the items. Although those auctions have finished, Klum and Sir Elton have now come to the party by donating signed jackets.

But wait – there’s more! Klum hasn’t only donated a jacket, but has also included two pairs of jeans from the clothing line she designed for Jordache.

These auctions end on December 11. The jackets have multiple pockets and are both warm and waterproof. When not being worn, the jacket can be folded into a backpack for easy transportation, or used as a pillow. To bid on Heidi Klum’s jacket and jeans, click here, and for Sir Elton’s item, click here.

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